Family, Marriage & Divorce Law Solutions
Divorce . Child Support . Alimony . Mediation
Parenting Plans & Time Sharing
Prenuptial Agreements . Collaborative Law
Professional service and support for your individual needs begin with your initial phone call and consultation. You shall receive excellent customer service with confidentiality and sensitivity to your emotional circumstances. Together we can achieve a positive outcome and solution by discussing all of your opinions..
At the initial consultation, Keith will help you understand the legal issues concerning your case and determine the best way to proceed.
Call Today To Schedule Your Initial Consultation
(239) 210.7516
Contested Divorce
A divorce case is a lawsuit and it starts with the filing of a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The purpose of a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Florida is to remove the legal status of being spouses. Once a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed, it must be served (formally delivered) to the other spouse so that spouse is legally aware of the case.
After filing the Petition, there will be time spent on the Discovery process (sharing financial information and other evidence) and legal research. Prior to a trial, there shall also be attempts at settlement through negotiation and mediation.
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Uncontested Divorce
If you are able to work out an agreement together, you may hire our office to finalize and prepare the written agreement. Our office will also prepare other necessary court documents, including the Petition, financial disclosure statements, and the Final Judgment.
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Cooperative Divorce
If you are able to work out most of your agreement together and need some assistance reaching agreement for some of the final terms, you may consider cooperative methods before filing a Petition. These options include written settlement proposals, settlement conferences, and mediation.
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Collaborative Law
Collaborative family law is a process in which both parties take charge of negotiating their divorce, and other family matters, instead of leaving it to the courts. In collaborative family law, each party hires a specially trained collaborative attorney who is a legal advisor and settlement specialist, and all four work together in a cooperative, non-adversarial process with a mutual goal of reaching a fair settlement of all issues. In collaborative family law, the parties are directly involved in the process and retain control over the outcome. This process is confidential and encourages creative win-win negotiation and resolutions that meet the needs of all members of the family.
For more information on Collaborative Law click here
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Mediation
Mediation is a problem solving process intended to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial manner. A third person (the mediator) works to encourage and facilitate a mutually acceptable settlement agreement.
Mediation is completely private and confidential. It takes place in a relaxed and neutral atmosphere, which encourages collaboration and brainstorming for solutions. It is based on concepts of negotiation and communication, and it emphasizes self-determination, the needs and interests of the participants, flexibility, and fairness. Mediation is considered a success when both participants feel they have “won”. It is completely voluntary, which means that participants can’t be forced or coerced into a final settlement.
A mediator can offer sources of information and proposed solutions. A mediator does not offer legal advice or represent any of the participants. The mediator does not make the ultimate decisions or determine who is “right” or “wrong”. The mediator must remain impartial throughout the process.
Keith is a Family Mediator certified by the Florida Supreme Court. If you each wish to be your own attorney and need an experienced and knowledgeable mediator to help resolve your Divorce and Family Law cases, Keith is available to act as your mediator. - Back to top
Prenuptual Agreements
Prenuptial agreements are contracts that are created before a marriage to establish the results in case a marriage ends in divorce. Prenuptial agreements generally include terms dealing with property division and spousal support (alimony). While the content and terms of prenuptial agreements can vary greatly, the strength of any prenuptial agreement lies with its clarity, precision, and attention to detail.
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Parenting Plans & Parenting Time
A Parenting Plan is required in all cases involving time-sharing with minor child(ren), even when time-sharing is not in dispute. A Parenting Plan should give adequate detail as to how the parties will share and be responsible for the daily tasks associated with the upbringing of the child(ren). The time-sharing schedule should specify the time that the minor child(ren) will spend with each parent. It should also state who will be responsible for any and all forms of health care, school-related matters, and other activities. The methods and technologies that the parents will use to communicate with the child(ren) should also be detailed.
The best interests of the child(ren) is the primary consideration in the Parenting Plan. In creating the Parenting Plan, all circumstances between the parties, including the parties’ historic relationship, domestic violence, and other factors must be taken into consideration. Determination of the best interests of the child(ren) shall be made by evaluating all of the factors affecting the welfare and interest of the minor child(ren).
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Child Support
For all divorce and family law cases involving minor children, the Court shall order child support payments. The amount of income shall be determined by the parents’ income and the number of children. A parent may be eligible for a reduction in the child support amount based on court determination or by the amount of overnights each parent spends with the children. Child support determinations include the costs of medical insurance for the children and childcare. The court shall also determine the cost of any noncovered medical, dental, and prescription medication expenses of the children.
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Alimony
Unlike child support, there is no formula to calculate alimony in Florida. Entitlement to alimony and the amount of alimony is left up to the Court's discretion. Florida Statute 61.08 outlines the factors that the Court must use in determining alimony, and the Court has wide interpretation. Alimony may be granted to either party, and it may be rehabilitative, bridge-the-gap, durational, or permanent.
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Paternity
A child does not have a legal father if the mother is not married when the child is born. Legal paternity has to be established for this child through the court. The easiest way is for both parents to sign a form saying that the child is theirs. However, paternity may need to be established by a genetic test. Paternity gives rights and benefits to the mother, the father and the child.
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